Yesterday we held the ceremony for the distribution of certificates for the refugees at Langui who participated in the Trees for the Future class. Our ceremony was combined with another certificate ceremony for a group of 15 young refugees who completed an 18 month training in technical work in Pitoa. The ceremony was planned by the Red Cross, UNHCR, and myself. Everyone showed up in their nicest clothes and so proud and happy and excited, and it was beautiful to see. There were only a few people not present, and many were accompanied by their families. Each refugee who took the exam received an attestation of participation. Those who scored high enough on the exam received a certificate from Trees for the Future. We took so many photos! My mouth was sore afterwards from smiling. At the end of the ceremony, the surprised me with a presentation of two beautiful gifts: a carved and burned calabash with the emblam of their group for tree planting, and a carved wooden statue (I believe of me), a woman holding a baby tree. I was very moved.
